Starred ReviewStarred Review Something to Prove
The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
In 1936, the New York Yankees wanted to test a hot prospect named Joe DiMaggio to see if he was ready for the big leagues. They knew just the ballplayer to call—Satchel Paige, the best pitcher anywhere, black or white. For the game, Paige joined a group of amateur African American players, and they faced off against a team of white major leaguers plus young DiMaggio. The odds were stacked against the less-experienced black team. But Paige’s skillful batting and amazing pitching—with his “trouble ball” and “bat dodger”— kept the game close. Would the rookie DiMaggio prove himself as major league player? Or would Paige once again prove his greatness—and the injustice of segregated baseball?
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978-1-4677-6751-4
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$22.99 |
Awards
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
Reviews
School Library Monthly
Skead, Robert. Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
In 1936, the New York Yankees asked Negro Leagues pitcher Satchel Paige to test a rookie player, Joe DiMaggio. The contest, which resulted in DiMaggio being brought up to the majors, demonstrated Paige’s consummate skill and the underlying unfairness of separate Negro Leagues.
Library Media Connection
“Each page builds anticipation as Skead leads readers through an exciting afternoon of baseball using vivid adjectives and descriptive language while also addressing some of the nation’s more troubling history.” —Library Media Connection
Starred ReviewStarred Review Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
“The author builds suspense with dazzling descriptions of Paige’s ‘wobbly ball’ and ‘windmill wind-up’ that even nonbaseball fans will appreciate….[T]he action-filled poses are consistently dramatic, and the portraiture is outstanding. Use this memorable title for fans of the game, for Black History month, or for any discussion on segregated life in the United States.” —School Library Journal
The Horn Book Magazine
“Skead effectively uses a little-known baseball episode to portray larger issues of race and justice in America, while superbly developing the game’s tension inning by inning. Grainy brown-toned illustrations nicely evoke the dreamy reminiscences of baseball legend, and frequent changes of perspective keep the story from becoming static. An engaging look at two baseball greats who eventually made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame.”—The Horn Book Magazine
Publishers Weekly
“Cooper’s grainy illustrations look as though they are filtered through sunlight, striking a nostalgic chord, while Skead’s play-by-play… provides a riveting, baseball story about two players seeking recognition of their worth.” —Publishers Weekly
Booklist
“[T]his centers on a fascinating event, one that points up the racial injustice at the time; at the same time, it makes readers care about both players, and may leave kids wanting to learn more about Paige, DiMaggio, the Negro Leagues, and the integration of baseball.” —Booklist